Josh Hart begins Game 4 on bench as Knicks stick with reconfigured lineup

INDIANAPOLIS — If it’s not broke… Tom Thibodeau ran back his reworked Knicks starting lineup for Game 4 against the Pacers Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.That group was Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. Inserting Robinson for Josh Hart was the change Thibodeau made for Game 3.

Hart had previously started every game he played this year. Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Towns and Robinson were on the floor together for 14 minutes in Game 3, and they were plus-1.That might not sound like a huge advantage, but the season-long starting unit – with Hart instead of Robinson – entered Tuesday minus-41 in 312 minutes when on the floor together. “We had a number of guys step up and play well,” Thibodeau said pregame about the decision.

“And it’s not really about who’s starting, it’s about how you finish.So we had a number of guys step up and play well.” Hart did end up playing 34 minutes – five more than Robinson – in Game 3 and was part of the group Thibodeau closed with.

Hart played the entire fourth quarter, while Robinson only came back in for two defensive possessions in the final minute of the game. Hart finished with eight points, 10 rebounds and four assists.Robinson finished with six points, six rebounds and an assist. “The closing lineup ended up being a lineup that, for the most part, had played a lot together,” Thibodeau said.

“And you’re just reading the game – what’s going on and what do you need at that particular time.Do you need more offense, do you need more defense? And you try to make your decisions based on that and how the games flowing and what the matchups are, who they have on the floor and what are you trying to take care of.” ...